I was very interested to see Lord Soley’s blog headed “Historic Wrecks”, which could surely be an apposite description of several of us in the House of Lords. I was, however, relieved to see that he was not making any specific personal references.
When I bumped into him in the Division lobby last night, I congratulated him both on his regular blog contributions and more specifically on his wonderful contribution to the Parliamentary Photographic exhibition currently visible in the Upper Waiting Hall of the House of Commons. For any of you who can visit the Palace of Westminster in person, this is well worth a few minutes of your time. The quality, range and sheer professionalism of some our amateur photographers in this curious community is mind-blowing. It is also encouraging to see that even full-time politicians, as well as us part-timers, get to see some fascinating parts of the world. This year’s theme seems to be the Indian sub-continent, and I confess that even I have one small exhibit from India.
I have always believed that it is important for parliamentarians, in both Houses, to keep their feet on other ground – rather than becoming obsessed with the Westminster bubble – and this is hard evidence that a fair number of my colleagues share the same conviction.
The obvious flippant answer:
Those that can afford £500-£1500 cameras should be able to take good pictures.
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Technical advances in digital photography has come a very long way and children now are able to take extremely good pictures. Both my 10 year old and 16 year old turn out some very professional looking photo’s using my £300 camera, often from a different perspective than an adult would.
It would be excellent if the gallery were put online so we could view the pictures.
“Obsessed with the Westminster bubble”
Many if not all of us would-be democratic-people-participants are even worse affected:
“possessed by the Westminster babble”.
£380 actually!!
Thanks for the plug Paul – I may have another career beckoning!
Clive Soley
I have always enjoyed the upper lobby photo exhibition which has been going for a long time now.
Most enjoyable in the lunch break between morning and afternoon committee interest/involvement.
G